According to the Hollywood Reporter, “NBC’s testy relationship with Wolf came to head on Thursday when the producer rejected the network’s offer to continue the show at a reduced license fee.”

Chong-Chong. (Imagine meaningful two-tone chime here)

In network television, the detectives and prosecutors spawned spinoffs “Criminal Intent” and “Special Victims Unit” and just may have shown the way for CBS and its “CSI” franchise as well. The reports also suggest there is no reason to believe Law & Order SVU is being affected.

The ripped-from-the-headlines stories allowed the series to stay topical and offer sometimes-controversial social commentary. Remember…the series’ take on the JonBenet Ramsay murder?
The notable lineup of Manhattan’s finest guest stars drew heavily from Broadway, including Dianne Wiest as a D.A.

Don’t forget Michael Imperioli, a detective for six episodes, Richard Belzer as Munch — crossing over from “Homicide” — plus every character actor you had never heard of.

“In the criminal justice system … ” — settling into the couch — “the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups.” — Grabbing a beverage, digging a foot into the pillows. — “The police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.” — Another night on the couch with the most reliable entertainment on network TV. — “These are their stories.”

If it’s truly over, what does that do to the spinoffs? Will it play forever on NBC’s cable networks? Should they just rename USA the “L&O” Network? And what does Dick Wolf do now?

Joanne Ostrow has been watching TV since before "reality" required quotation marks. "Hill Street Blues" was life-changing. If Dickens, Twain or Agatha Christie were alive today, they'd be writing for television. And proud of it.